Choose Your SpecimenAmmonites
·Real Fossil
Polished Cleoniceras Ammonite
- Real Fossil
- 110 million years
- Ships worldwide
£24.50
● In stock — dispatched within 2 working days
An exquisite polished ammonite from Madagascar, showcasing intricate suture lines and rich calcite mineralisation from the Early Cretaceous.
Choose Your Exact Specimen
You will receive the exact fossil shown for your chosen specimen.
Only 1 of this specimen — once it's gone, it's gone.
Specimen Record
DTF-CBAA26EC-F368CCECExact specimen — your selection
Each option is photographed individually; you receive the specimen you select.
- Species
- Cleoniceras besairiei
- Identification confidence
- Not recorded
- Age
- 110 million years
- Geological period
- Early Cretaceous
- Formation
- Albian Stage sediments
- Locality
- Madagascar
- Dimensions
- Width: 7cm. Height: 5.5cm. Depth: 1.8cm
- Weight
- Not recorded
Condition & Treatment
- Repair
- Not recorded
- Restoration
- Not recorded
- Stabilisation
- Not recorded
- Polishing
- Not recorded
- Composite
- Not recorded
"Not recorded" means we hold no verified record for that detail — it is not a claim either way.
Curator Note
These specimens are particularly noted for their exquisite suture patterns and high-quality calcite replacement. The polishing process highlights the natural transition between different mineral phases, ensuring that while the species is well-known, the internal landscape of every individual fossil is entirely unique to the collector who holds it.
At a Glance
Type
Genuine fossil
Display
Excellent — the flat polished surface and vibrant colours make it a striking desk or shelf piece.
About This Fossil
The Cleoniceras ammonite is a testament to the architectural elegance of the Cretaceous oceans. Once a predatory cephalopod, this marine specimen spent its life navigating warm, shallow seas using a sophisticated system of jet propulsion. Today, these fossils serve as a bridge to a world that existed long before the close of the Mesozoic era, offering a tactile connection to the Earth's deep past.
Each specimen has been meticulously polished to reveal its inner secrets. The process uncovers the complex suture lines—the delicate, leaf-like patterns where the internal chamber walls (septa) met the outer shell. These patterns are not merely decorative; they were vital structural elements that allowed the animal to withstand the pressures of the ancient deep. The result is a striking marriage of prehistoric biology and geological artistry.
Formation & Preservation
Following the death of the ammonite, its empty shell settled into the soft marine sediments of what is now Madagascar. Over millions of years, mineral-rich groundwater permeated the hollow chambers, depositing layers of calcite and other minerals. This slow process of permineralisation transformed the once-fragile shell into a solid, stony fossil.
The remarkable aesthetic of these pieces is a direct result of this mineralisation. Depending on the local chemistry of the sediment, the chambers filled with varying shades of calcite, ranging from translucent creams to deep, earthy browns, often leaving behind hollow vugs lined with glittering crystals.
What Makes This Specimen Special
These specimens are particularly noted for their exquisite suture patterns and high-quality calcite replacement. The polishing process highlights the natural transition between different mineral phases, ensuring that while the species is well-known, the internal landscape of every individual fossil is entirely unique to the collector who holds it.
Authenticity & Sourcing
Real vs Replica
- This is a genuine fossil — not a replica unless clearly stated. Clearly described and honestly presented.
- You will receive the exact specimen you select.
Ethical Sourcing
- Sourced from established suppliers and known commercial sites. We do not buy from localities we know to be protected, scientifically restricted, or subject to export controls. Origin and sourcing information is shared where known.
- ✓We will not knowingly handle specimens removed in breach of any country's heritage or export laws.
Origin & Natural Variation
Stated origin (Madagascar) and formation (Albian Stage sediments) are based on supplier information and available geological references. Identification can vary in certainty — especially for fragments — so where exact locality cannot be independently verified, we describe the formation rather than a single quarry.
Fossils are natural objects. Expect minor variation in colour, surface texture, and matrix, mineralisation and surface detail. Treatment information is shown under Condition & Treatment where it is recorded. “Not recorded” means we hold no verified record for that detail; it is not a claim that no treatment occurred.
Read our full authenticity & honest descriptions policy or the authenticity & sourcing clause in our terms.
Shipping, Returns & Packaging
• UK shipping: Free on orders of £50 or more. Standard £4.95 (Royal Mail Tracked 48, typically 2–3 working days after dispatch).
• International: Available worldwide. Rates at checkout.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped, cushioned, and boxed. Fragile specimens receive extra protection.
• Dispatch: Within 2 working days (framed, mounted, or made-to-order pieces take 1 additional working day).
• Returns: 30-day returns. Contact us first. Item must be in original condition.